From April 23 to June 21, 2024, the former Municipal Market of Nicosia, now home to the CYENS Centre of Excellence, opened its doors to the public with the exhibition “Agora: The Making Of”. Curated by the Museum Lab research team in collaboration with Thinker Maker Space, the exhibition explored the rich architectural and historical significance of the Agora building, originally designed by acclaimed Cypriot architect Stavros Economou in 1965.

Visitors had the unique opportunity to immerse themselves in a journey through time, witnessing the transformation of the building from its early days as a bustling municipal market to its recent restoration as a hub for research and innovation. The exhibition featured a captivating blend of archival photographs, original architectural sketches, and technological installations, such as VR tours that highlighted the building’s restoration process.

This event also marked the debut of the new exhibition space within CYENS, named “Agora,” which is dedicated to fostering the intersection of art, culture, and technology. Through this space, the former market building—once a focal point of the city’s daily life—has been reimagined as a place where researchers, innovators, and creators gather to collaborate and exchange ideas.

Although the exhibition has ended, “Agora: The Making Of” left a lasting impression, paying tribute to a landmark that has played a pivotal role in Nicosia’s cultural and architectural landscape. The exhibition celebrated not only the building’s modernist heritage but also its ongoing role in shaping the future of the city.

Exhibited Dates: April 23 – June 21, 2024
Location: CYENS Centre of Excellence (Former Municipal Market of Nicosia)
Curators: Theopisti Stylianou-Lambert, Antigoni Heraclidou, and Helia Zakari

Graphic design by Maria Loizou